Rack for storing folded tray tables



Patented Apr. 27, 1954 T "UNITED STATES PATEN r OFFICE 2,676,709 RACK FoR S ORING FOLDED TRAY TABLES Francis-J. Walsh, San Bernardino, Calif. Application July 17, 1953, Serial No. 368,791

2 Claims. (Cl. 211-27) This invention relates to a rack for storing folded tray tables.

A tray table as known in the art consists of a generally rectangular traysupported by clips on a frame composed of two U-shaped tubular members pivotally joined together. The tray-table derives its utility from its light weight and folding construction which enables the device to be folded flat.

In the absence of special storage provisions,

folded tray tables are usually stacked against a wall in what might be deemed an out-of-theway place. Wall space, however, is normally at a premium in contradistinction to floor space, away from a wall due primarily to modern tendencies in designing houses and apartment buildmgs.

Accordingly, it is a prime object of this invention to provide a rack for storing a plurality of such tray tables which enables the use of the more readily available floor space rather than use of less readily available wall space.

This is accomplished by this invention by providing a novel rack of compact design which can easily hold or store folded tray tables in a secure manner. Further the rack is fashioned to provide a means for transporting a plurality of folded tray tables from one location to another effortlessly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention as well as a complete appreciation of the utility of same will become fully apparent from the following detailed description by frequent reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the rack of the present invention cooperating with a plurality of folded tray tables storing same;

Figure 2 is a view in fragmentary section illustrating a conventional clip riveted to a tray;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective showing the preferred form of this invention;

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation demonstrating one way to carry the assembly;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation demonstrating a second way to carry the assembly; and

Figure 6 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation showing a suggested procedure for shipment of an assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figure 3, the preferred form of the present invention is shown. The rack R comprises a U- shaped tubular frame member 2| and a U-shaped tubular frame member 20 shorter in length than member 2| and narrower in width than member 2| to fit inside thereof. The members 20 and 2| are so designed that member 20 can fit wholly within member 2 I. The member 20 is composed of two legs 22 connected together at their upper ends by a cross-piece or handle 23. Similarly, the member 2| has two legs 26 and a cross-piece or handle 27.

The two members 2-?! and 2| are connected together by a pivotal means interconnecting their respective legs 22 and 26 as shown in Figure 3. Further, a linkage means interconnects the respective legs 22 and 26 at places below the pivotal means. The linkage connection preferably is arranged to be pivoted to each leg 22 and 23 and at a point intermediate the legs 22 and 26. This can be easily done by the use of two link elements each having one end pivoted to one leg 22 and 26 and their other ends joined together pivotally, or alternatively by a chain or any other means which will restrict movement of the members 20 and 2| to a position apart where the legs 22 and 26 intersect at an acute angle. v 7

Referring now to Figure 1 the rack R. opened as shown in Figure 3 is shown as supporting or storing a plurality of tray tables R, in this case four. Each tray table T consists of two U-shaped frame members l0 and of equal length having clipped thereon a tray I2 by the means shown in Figure 2. The clip consists of resilient legs l5 joined to a U-shaped leaf spring l6 which in turn is joined to tray |2 by a rivet I1. Rubber sleeves l8 cover legs IS.

The tray tables T are stacked echelon fashion on the rack R so that the cross pieces of the bottom most frame members I0 and II bear against legs 26 of rack R. All trays I2 bear on their lower edges against legs 22 of rack R.

Transporting of the assembly, shown in Figure 1, is demonstrated by Figures 4 and 5. In the case of Figure 4, handle 23 is grasped with handle 2! bearing against the person of the transporter as shown. Transporting the assembly in this way is effortless. As shown in Figure 5, handle 21 is grasped by the transporter. Although the tray tables T are tilted beyond the vertical, they will not topple because their stacking arrangement prohibits their rotating. This mode of transporting the assembly is likewise effortless.

A suggested shipping procedure is shown in Figure 6. As shown, four tray tables T are placed in a uniform stack in a carton 35. The rack R is placed on top and a hollow spacer 36 is positioned below one end of rack R to abut against the ends of tables T.

Although the present invention has been debelow said pivotal means, each of said linkage means characterized by a pivotal connection to each of the respective leg portions of said members and a pivotal joint intermediate the respective leg portions of said members, said members and means arranged so that said second member can swing relative to said first member from a position wholly Within said first member to a position where the intersection of the respective leg portions of said members define an acute angle, in which position said rack will be capable of standing on a plane surface, and said linkage means functioning to prevent further swinging of said second member relative to said first member beyond said second-mentioned position.

2. A rack for storing a plurality of folded tray tables of the type characterized by two pivotally interconnected frame elements forming a folded frame rectangle with a tray positioned to span one end of the rectangle, said rack comprising a first U-shaped frame member, a second U-shaped frame member of shorter length and narrower width than said first member so that said second member is adapted to-be wholly received within said first member, pivotal means interconnecting the respective leg portions of leg portions of saidmembers on either side of said rack at places said members, and a pair of linkage means interconnecting the respective leg portions of said members on either side of said rack at places below said pivotal means, each of said linkage means characterized by a pivotal connection to each of the respective leg portions of said members and a pivotal joint intermediate the respective leg portions of said members, said members and means arranged so that said second member can swing relative to said first member from a position wholly within said first member to a position where the intersection of the respective leg portions of said members define an acute angle, in which position said rack will be capable of standing .on a plane surface, and said linkage means functioning to prevent further swinging of said second member relative to said first member beyond said second-mentioned position, said tray tables being supported by said rack while in said second-mentioned position by the tray and upper part of the frame rectangle being engaged by the portion of said rack above said pivotal means and the lower part of the frame rectangle fitting around said second member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

